Southern DHB Neurology

Public Service

Description

Southern DHB (SDHB) Neurology is a district wide service primarily delivered from Dunedin Hospital. Neuroscience nurse specialists also form part of the team providing advice and support to patients who have chronic conditions.

Southland Hospital provides outpatient neurology services. The neurologist has weekly clinics to see new neurology patients and to follow up with existing neurology patients.

Outreach clinics have been commenced at the rural hospitals on a regular basis.

What is Neurology?

Neurology is the study of the Nervous System (brain, spinal cord and nerves), how it controls various parts of the body and the diseases and disorders that may affect it.

The brain coordinates how we think and what we do physically as well as controlling how the body manages itself. It sends messages to, and receives information from, the rest of the body via a complex system of nerves which use chemicals and electricity to send information.

The Nervous System can be divided into the

voluntary nervous system which controls what we choose to do and the

involuntary or autonomic nervous system that controls automatic functions that we don’t have to think about.

A medical specialist in this field is a neurologist. A neurosurgeon is a surgeon who operates on parts of the nervous system. The two specialists often work together, depending on the problem.

Consultants

Referral Expectations

Your GP will refer you to see a neurologist if they think you have a problem that involves the nervous system and that needs specialist help in diagnosing or treating that condition.

Waiting times for clinics range from 1 day - 6 months depending on the urgency of your condition. This is assessed from the letter or phone call we receive from your GP.

Before coming to a clinic you may be asked to undergo some tests or these tests will be arranged after your appointment with the neurologist.

Procedures / Treatments

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

An EEG is a test to detect abnormalities in the electrical activity of the brain. …
More

Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)

NCS are tests of the speed of conduction of impulses through a nerve. A doctor performs the tests with a technician.…
More

Electromyography (EMG)

EMG is a test that assesses disorders of muscles and the nerves controlling them.…
More

Lumbar Puncture (LP)

Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It is often helpful when diagnosing certain conditions to examine this fluid for cells and chemicals/proteins. A lumbar puncture allows the doctor to examine the content and pressure of this fluid.…
More

Radiology

Computer Tomography (CT)A CT image is created by using an X-ray beam, which is sent through the body from different angles giving cross-sectional images of the body.…
More

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a condition where people have seizures or ‘fits’. Seizures may present in many forms but are due to bursts of electrical activity within the brain. The problem can be with the electricity of the brain on its own or due to some underlying structural lesion of the brain.…
More

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the brain characterised by shaking (tremor), slowing of movement and difficulty with walking and coordination.…
More

Headaches/Migraines

Most headaches are not due to significant underlying problems but you may be referred if your GP is worried about the nature of your headaches or you are having difficulty controlling them with standard treatment.…
More

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive disease involving the brain and spinal cord. It occurs over time in multiple sites in these two areas of the nervous system.…
More

Motor Neurone Disease (MND)

This refers to a group of progressive disorders where there is destruction of motor neurones (the nerves that control voluntary muscle activity such as speaking, walking, breathing, and swallowing.) Symptoms include: gradual weakening, shrinking of muscles and uncontrollable twitching of the muscles. Sensation, memory and personality are not affected.…
More